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Puffin Classics: Taniya
. . . it would be hard to find another that could match Taniya.
Did you know that although Taniya was a very good dog, she was also quite cowardly? It was her antics and adorable nature that made everyone around her love her so much. Why! She was even fed hilsa fish with rice almost every day. Did you also know that she would also sing while Arunabh would play the harmonica or that she could detect an original Marie biscuit from the fake? She was quite the bundle of talent, the little Taniya.
Kalita's only children's novel to date, Taniya is a timeless classic in Assam. Masterfully translated in English by veteran Assamese translator Meenaxi Borkotoki, the book also celebrates the verdant landscape and the social and cultural milieu of the beautiful region.
Did you know that although Taniya was a very good dog, she was also quite cowardly? It was her antics and adorable nature that made everyone around her love her so much. Why! She was even fed hilsa fish with rice almost every day. Did you also know that she would also sing while Arunabh would play the harmonica or that she could detect an original Marie biscuit from the fake? She was quite the bundle of talent, the little Taniya.
Kalita's only children's novel to date, Taniya is a timeless classic in Assam. Masterfully translated in English by veteran Assamese translator Meenaxi Borkotoki, the book also celebrates the verdant landscape and the social and cultural milieu of the beautiful region.
150 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 19, 2022
8 people want to read
About the author
Arupa Patangia Kalita
15 books14 followersArupa Kalita Patangia (aka Arupa Patangia Kalita, Assamese: অৰূপা কলিতা পতংগীয়া) is an Assamese novelists and short story writer and known for her fiction writing in Assamese. Her literary awards include: the Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad award, the Katha Prize and the Prabina Saikia Award. In 2014, she received the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for her short stories book named Mariam Austin Othoba Hira Barua.
Arupa completed her Ph.D. from Gauhati University on Pearl S. Buck’s women characters. Arupa Patangia Kalita teaches English at Tangla College, Darrang, Assam.
(from Wikipedia)
Arupa completed her Ph.D. from Gauhati University on Pearl S. Buck’s women characters. Arupa Patangia Kalita teaches English at Tangla College, Darrang, Assam.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 26, 2022
I love books that are about animals even more so if it has a dog. And who can ever resist a book about a Tibetan Spaniel whose antics are so entertaining and adorable that no one is immune to her charm. This story is non-fiction and comes from the author’s very own household. This ball of fur that came to live with them inevitably became a core family member. This small book captures the enigma that Taniya was and how she saw the world.
When Taniya comes to Anurabh’s house (author’s son) from the foothills of Bhutan, she is instantly liked by everyone. But quite soon, Taniya becomes famous for her never ending mischief. The entire neighbourhood keeps an eye on her so that she doesn’t get into trouble. And yet when burglars were involved, Taniya does her job fabulously and saves the people from any harm. Locally, Taniya was a hero.
One can see how this charming dog secured a prime spot in everyone’s hearts just by being herself. The book comes to a bittersweet end and I couldn’t have thought of a better way to give this story a closure. Arupa writes effortlessly but with her whole heart. The translation by Meenaxi is fantastic never letting me feel that it was in fact a translated book (a true sign of a good translator). And @jahnavibarua ‘s introduction was just icing on the cake :)
If you’re looking for a short yet sweet book to end the year with, this one’s for you. Thanks for the copy @penguinsters ♥️
When Taniya comes to Anurabh’s house (author’s son) from the foothills of Bhutan, she is instantly liked by everyone. But quite soon, Taniya becomes famous for her never ending mischief. The entire neighbourhood keeps an eye on her so that she doesn’t get into trouble. And yet when burglars were involved, Taniya does her job fabulously and saves the people from any harm. Locally, Taniya was a hero.
One can see how this charming dog secured a prime spot in everyone’s hearts just by being herself. The book comes to a bittersweet end and I couldn’t have thought of a better way to give this story a closure. Arupa writes effortlessly but with her whole heart. The translation by Meenaxi is fantastic never letting me feel that it was in fact a translated book (a true sign of a good translator). And @jahnavibarua ‘s introduction was just icing on the cake :)
If you’re looking for a short yet sweet book to end the year with, this one’s for you. Thanks for the copy @penguinsters ♥️
March 8, 2023
Tom was very dear to everyone in the village and after he died of old age, a pall of gloom descended on the villagers and family. The absence of the animal greatly wounded Arnab Khura's family especially his daughter, Jilmil.
The dog whose body was white as snow was laid down to rest at Jogen Bordeuta's farm and a Sewali tree was planted over the remains. The grave resembled Tom's white fur in the presence of Sewali flowers during Durga Pujo. Arnab Khura set off to a village bordering Bhutan, in search of a dog that will give company to Jilmil. He returned with not one, but two dogs, one male and another female who was christened Jigma and Taniya.
"She (Taniya) could really love people instantly. Perhaps that was why people loved her back"
I have read Arupa Patangia Kalita's translated anthology of short stories which narrates how military personnel wreaked havoc in the valley. She briefly mentions a few instances in this book too.
The carefully worded translation beautifully uncovers the flora and fauna of the Northeast region along with painting a vivid picture of the cultural landscape. The families in the neighborhood peacefully coexisted in the valley. The narrative is centered on Taniya's antics and adventures but is also interspersed with Tom's earliest memories. From evading a robbery at Janmoni's house to two failed attempts of frisking her away which were orchestrated by two different men in uniform, we see Taniya being vulnerable to various kinds of attacks yet strong and even sensitive enough to feel the pain of humans she loved.
The book raises some pertinent questions about whether certain breeds of dogs should roam freely amidst snow-capped mountains or remain as domestic animals.
The dog whose body was white as snow was laid down to rest at Jogen Bordeuta's farm and a Sewali tree was planted over the remains. The grave resembled Tom's white fur in the presence of Sewali flowers during Durga Pujo. Arnab Khura set off to a village bordering Bhutan, in search of a dog that will give company to Jilmil. He returned with not one, but two dogs, one male and another female who was christened Jigma and Taniya.
"She (Taniya) could really love people instantly. Perhaps that was why people loved her back"
I have read Arupa Patangia Kalita's translated anthology of short stories which narrates how military personnel wreaked havoc in the valley. She briefly mentions a few instances in this book too.
The carefully worded translation beautifully uncovers the flora and fauna of the Northeast region along with painting a vivid picture of the cultural landscape. The families in the neighborhood peacefully coexisted in the valley. The narrative is centered on Taniya's antics and adventures but is also interspersed with Tom's earliest memories. From evading a robbery at Janmoni's house to two failed attempts of frisking her away which were orchestrated by two different men in uniform, we see Taniya being vulnerable to various kinds of attacks yet strong and even sensitive enough to feel the pain of humans she loved.
The book raises some pertinent questions about whether certain breeds of dogs should roam freely amidst snow-capped mountains or remain as domestic animals.
June 24, 2023
"Have you ever seen a furry animal called a panda on TV? Their faces looked very similar to those puppies. Their bodies were covered with hair, and their tails were hard to describe - they were like a bunch of the golden Kohuwa water reeds that bloom in autumn. Their bodies were light brown, the same as the Marie biscuits you eat.
Oh, I beg your pardon? I forgot that children do not like Marie biscuits."
A cozy and heartful story for kids.
Cover Art: I have never such a beautiful and colorful and vibrant cover art for any Indian book and definitely not any novella or a young adult book.
This is a story of a Bhutanese Spaniel who loves to do pranks, escape the leash and the enclosure and love like there is no tomorrow. It is a beautiful story which one can either narrate to small kids and even kids can be introduced to reading by giving them an opportunity to start reading this book. The reason is that the book is very accessible and tone feels like one's grandmother is narrating a story before tucking the kids in the bed. Additionally, the illustrations are simple yet cute. They compliment the tone of the book very well.
I understand that Taniya is a cult classic in Assam. However, the translation has a natural tone and the indigenous Assamese words are retained by Meenaxi Bortoki. Even if I have read in English, it doesn't feel like an English book.
I would recommend to read the Translator's note at the end of the book. I guarantee you it will enrich your reading experience.
Oh, I beg your pardon? I forgot that children do not like Marie biscuits."
A cozy and heartful story for kids.
Cover Art: I have never such a beautiful and colorful and vibrant cover art for any Indian book and definitely not any novella or a young adult book.
This is a story of a Bhutanese Spaniel who loves to do pranks, escape the leash and the enclosure and love like there is no tomorrow. It is a beautiful story which one can either narrate to small kids and even kids can be introduced to reading by giving them an opportunity to start reading this book. The reason is that the book is very accessible and tone feels like one's grandmother is narrating a story before tucking the kids in the bed. Additionally, the illustrations are simple yet cute. They compliment the tone of the book very well.
I understand that Taniya is a cult classic in Assam. However, the translation has a natural tone and the indigenous Assamese words are retained by Meenaxi Bortoki. Even if I have read in English, it doesn't feel like an English book.
I would recommend to read the Translator's note at the end of the book. I guarantee you it will enrich your reading experience.
July 2, 2023
After their dog Tom passed away, Arnab Khura brought home two puppies for his daughter Jilmil from his visit to Bhutan. Jigma and Taniya are siblings of Bhutanese Cocker Spaniel breed from the hills. The book is filled with the fun stories of Taniya’s stay first at Jilmil’s house and later at Arunabh’s house.
While Jigma is the calmer one of the two, Taniya was notorious for her naughty antics. From being frisked away once by a monkey and later by a military guy, Taniya always kept Jilmil’s parents on their toes. Finally Jilmil had to keep Jigma and give away Taniya to Arunabh’s family.
Taniya’s stay at Arunabh’s house was even more exciting — their visitors thought she was a toy with all that fluffy hair, Taniya got slapped by their cat Miao for irritating it during lunch time, chasing a thief — Taniya was not just naughty but was an adorable cute puppy that filled Arunabh’s family with joy.
The book has beautiful illustrations, the translator has done a perfect job by including the local Assamese words along with their relevant English words, so that the original flavour of the story is not lost. The book is fun to read along with emotional connect to Taniya’s character, which makes it a perfect read for kids. There are not many books set in Assam, so reading this book also helps knowing about Assamese local culture and geography.
However, be warned, the kids who will read this book will definitely want to have a puppy for themselves, so do not complain about it if you are not ready to bring home one for your kids. Highly recommended for kids as well as adults, as the story narrates the heartwarming story of Taniya and how pets can be wholesome companions.
While Jigma is the calmer one of the two, Taniya was notorious for her naughty antics. From being frisked away once by a monkey and later by a military guy, Taniya always kept Jilmil’s parents on their toes. Finally Jilmil had to keep Jigma and give away Taniya to Arunabh’s family.
Taniya’s stay at Arunabh’s house was even more exciting — their visitors thought she was a toy with all that fluffy hair, Taniya got slapped by their cat Miao for irritating it during lunch time, chasing a thief — Taniya was not just naughty but was an adorable cute puppy that filled Arunabh’s family with joy.
The book has beautiful illustrations, the translator has done a perfect job by including the local Assamese words along with their relevant English words, so that the original flavour of the story is not lost. The book is fun to read along with emotional connect to Taniya’s character, which makes it a perfect read for kids. There are not many books set in Assam, so reading this book also helps knowing about Assamese local culture and geography.
However, be warned, the kids who will read this book will definitely want to have a puppy for themselves, so do not complain about it if you are not ready to bring home one for your kids. Highly recommended for kids as well as adults, as the story narrates the heartwarming story of Taniya and how pets can be wholesome companions.
December 29, 2025
Usually, I hesitate to pick up animal stories because they aren’t good for my fragile heart. I don’t like being haunted by animal characters for days, struggling not to cry in public while reading such books. But I couldn’t resist picking up this cute book about a dog called Taniya.
Unfortunately, I was on a bus when I reached the end of the story and it was quite an experience trying to blink away tears in a crowded bus. While I recommend this book to those looking for a quick read, I definitely do not recommend reading it in public.
The book is translated into English from Assamese. What stood out to me was how beautifully it has been translated. I felt as though I was part of the author’s household, witnessing Taniya’s antics firsthand. I loved the way the beautiful landscapes of Bhutan and Assam, along with the culture and food of the region, are described.
I don’t think I need to explain why I cried at the end of the story. Even if you cry like a baby, you must read this book one day because it’s quite something.
Unfortunately, I was on a bus when I reached the end of the story and it was quite an experience trying to blink away tears in a crowded bus. While I recommend this book to those looking for a quick read, I definitely do not recommend reading it in public.
The book is translated into English from Assamese. What stood out to me was how beautifully it has been translated. I felt as though I was part of the author’s household, witnessing Taniya’s antics firsthand. I loved the way the beautiful landscapes of Bhutan and Assam, along with the culture and food of the region, are described.
I don’t think I need to explain why I cried at the end of the story. Even if you cry like a baby, you must read this book one day because it’s quite something.
December 30, 2022
I loved this cute little book. Being an animal person, i know how it feels to see a cute little creature grow into something so fun and mischievous. I really dont care how naughty my kittens can be, i just love them to have fun.
And this book is perfect to give our young readers to let them know more about animal-human bonding and even human-human. They'll connect with animals, especially dogs more after reading this. I am so glad that i got to read this book.
Also, i sobbed as a baby at the end. I wanted to put it out there...
Enjoy.
And this book is perfect to give our young readers to let them know more about animal-human bonding and even human-human. They'll connect with animals, especially dogs more after reading this. I am so glad that i got to read this book.
Also, i sobbed as a baby at the end. I wanted to put it out there...
Enjoy.
January 12, 2023
Arupa Patangia Kalita has always piqued my interest. But this is the first time I've had the chance to lay my hands on her work. I couldn't have chosen a better book to read. A children's classic comprised of tales of her dog, Taniya.
A teeny-tiny book with the capacity to make your eyes moist. By the time I got to the end of the novel, I was blankly staring at my ceiling, wishing I could have someone like Taniya.
The book is an overload of joy and innocence. I laughed and laughed as I flipped through the pages and sipped my coffee. Once in a coffee shop, I was smiling like an idiot, and my coffee was becoming cold. A stranger approached me and said, "What are you reading?" I looked up and embarrassingly answered, Taniya, the book is about a mischievous dog. And the stranger in the coffee shop also got hooked on the stories of Taniya. That's the specialty of the book. It can captivate anyone right from the first page.
The narrative has several layers to it. It's just not a simple tale of a pet dog. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and savored every bit of it. I will try to read more books by the author. I believe it's time to finally read 'the loneliness of Hira Barua.'
And, lastly, a big shout-out to the translator Meenaxi Borkotoki. Never once did I have the impression that the essence of the narrative had been lost in translation. And, also, to Janhavi Barua for writing such a beautiful introduction.
Thank you, Penguin India, for sending me the review copy.
A teeny-tiny book with the capacity to make your eyes moist. By the time I got to the end of the novel, I was blankly staring at my ceiling, wishing I could have someone like Taniya.
The book is an overload of joy and innocence. I laughed and laughed as I flipped through the pages and sipped my coffee. Once in a coffee shop, I was smiling like an idiot, and my coffee was becoming cold. A stranger approached me and said, "What are you reading?" I looked up and embarrassingly answered, Taniya, the book is about a mischievous dog. And the stranger in the coffee shop also got hooked on the stories of Taniya. That's the specialty of the book. It can captivate anyone right from the first page.
The narrative has several layers to it. It's just not a simple tale of a pet dog. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and savored every bit of it. I will try to read more books by the author. I believe it's time to finally read 'the loneliness of Hira Barua.'
And, lastly, a big shout-out to the translator Meenaxi Borkotoki. Never once did I have the impression that the essence of the narrative had been lost in translation. And, also, to Janhavi Barua for writing such a beautiful introduction.
Thank you, Penguin India, for sending me the review copy.
March 8, 2023
A heart-touching book about Taniya, a furry friend, her adventures, and the behaviour and final days. Well-written and translated book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews